My Voice & Freedom
“My wheelchair and communication device are only possible because of Medicaid. They give me my voice and my freedom.” - Cami, self-advocate
Cami’s Medicaid Story
"Medicaid is very important to me and my family. My name is Cami Smith, and I am a woman with cerebral palsy living in a CILA (Community Integrated Living Arrangement).
Without Medicaid funding, I wouldn’t be able to get a communication device, like my Dynavox, which helps me to communicate. Additionally, I wouldn’t have an electric wheelchair to get around. If funding were cut, I also wouldn’t have the crucial daily assistance I rely on.
Imagine being in my situation – what would you do if your funding was cut? I would never want to go to a nursing home."
Why Medicaid Is Important to Cami:
"My dad is in his early 80s (83 to be exact), and my mom is a young 82. They both help me with my day-to-day activities. I visit home often, and my dad even comes to pick me up."
Did you know? “Nationally, nearly one in five caregivers (19 percent) are 65 years or older, and two in five caregivers (40 percent) provide support to a member of their own household, which may include a child, spouse, parent, or other household member. Caregivers who are aging experience a range of circumstances, and some may be able to safely remain in their own homes as they age with additional supports and care systems. Other caregivers may no longer be able to provide support at home due to changes in their own health status, hospitalization, illness or ill health, transition to a nursing facility, or death.”
Source: Medicaid
What Does Cami Fear About Medicaid Cuts?
"My deepest fear about Medicaid cuts is that I wouldn’t be able to get the things I need to continue living my life as I do now."
